Southbound on-ramp to reopen Dec. 15

From ODOT- On June 21, we closed the Interstate 5 southbound on-ramp from Franklin Boulevard to continue work on the Willamette River Bridge project. When the ramp reopens on Dec. 15, you will see many changes, such as:

• The ramp, now higher and wider, merges more smoothly with I-5.
• New lighting improves visibility at night.
• New retaining walls support the raised roadway.

The most visible change is the new sound wall on the west side of the ramp to decrease traffic noise in the Laurel Hill Valley Neighborhood.

The design on the east side of the sound wall represents a sound wave as it travels from the foothills to the valley floor. On the neighborhood side, our contractors installed sculptured concrete representing local geologic forms such as Judkins Point, Coburg Hills, Mount Pisgah and Laurel Hill.

This reopening is a significant milestone on the way to wrapping up construction of the southbound Willamette River Bridge.

Thanks for your patience during the construction work. We really appreciate it.